*Official* Tennis Thread

[vogue]

Murray was perfectly fine in the post-match, admitted straight away that he wasn't good enough and Verdasco served too well in the last two sets.

Not watching it anymore but that first set from Tsonga and Blake had some amazing tennis in it.

...funnily enough just watched him now...better attitude from him these days...

....Tsonga going 3-1 up in the second now...he's playing well..

 

[Uppercut]

He'd much rather face Roddick in the quarters than Del Potro, Tsonga (if his back is alright and he's fit) or Simon.

I reckon he has the best quarters draw in the Open personally. I'm a Roddick fan, he's a top bloke, but he's a guy who has come to terms with the fact he's not going to win a Slam ever again. I'll be seriously surprised if he loses to him. Remember Roddick's choke at the US Open?

Maybe Tsonga but not Del Potro or Simon. Put it this way- if Roddick and Djokovic both play anything remotely like they've played so far this tournament, it should be Roddick's in straight sets. Don't expect that to happen but i'd have Federer as favourite to beat Novak in the semis. Pre-tournament i backed Rafa and see no reason to change that.

 

[Jono]

Maybe Tsonga but not Del Potro or Simon. Put it this way- if Roddick and Djokovic both play anything remotely like they've played so far this tournament, it should be Roddick's in straight sets.

Are you saying that Andy Roddick is currently a better player than Juan Martin Del Potro? Big call.

We'll see tomorrow I guess, but I'm backing Novak.

 

[Mister Wright]

I'm offering up a bet for Clapo

If Novak wins I'll avatar him for the whole NRL season, but if Roddick wins Clapo has to participate in the Cricket Web Virtual NRL.

 

[Uppercut]

Are you saying that Andy Roddick is currently a better player than Juan Martin Del Potro? Big call.

We'll see tomorrow I guess, but I'm backing Novak.

I think most players would prefer to play Del Potro. He's yet to beat any top-class players over five sets.

It's a funny one, because if the tie was Roddick against Del Potro, I'd back Del Potro to win. But in a quarter against Djokovic i think Roddick has more chance of making the semis.

 

[Jono]

Either way, you're right about Rafa being the favourite to take this out. He's playing sublime tennis.

I just feel for a defending champion, Novak has not been taken seriously enough in this tournament. Even Tsonga until now, last year's finallist, was barely even shown on TV.

Its been the Roger and Murray show. Well one of those is out, and the other is only through because his opponent choked.

 

[Uppercut]

Either way, you're right about Rafa being the favourite to take this out. He's playing sublime tennis.

I just feel for a defending champion, Novak has not been taken seriously enough in this tournament. Even Tsonga until now, last year's finallist, was barely even shown on TV.

Its been the Roger and Murray show. Well one of those is out, and the other is only through because his opponent choked.

Yeah, that might be true. I just presumed it was because Murray gets more coverage than anyone else in general here. I completely agreed with Roger and Novak on his favourite status (comments that the media here interpreted as "they're scared!!! he's getting under their skin!!!")

What really surprised me was Rafa slipping under the radar. I backed him pre-tournament at 5.00, he's down to 2.25 favourite and hasn't won any match you wouldn't be shocked at him losing. It's not like he's a decent outside shot, he's world number 1 ffs.

 

[Jono]

What really surprised me was Rafa slipping under the radar. I backed him pre-tournament at 5.00, he's down to 2.25 favourite and hasn't won any match you wouldn't be shocked at him losing. It's not like he's a decent outside shot, he's world number 1 ffs.

Haha yeah, Rafa was great value. Even though Rafa is my favourite player (along with Marat), the only reason I got on Novak was because he had blown out even further due to his random losses to Gulbis and Niemenen.

 

[Uppercut]

Haha yeah, Rafa was great value. Even though Rafa is my favourite player (along with Marat), the only reason I got on Novak was because he had blown out even further due to his random losses to Gulbis and Niemenen.

I considered lumping on both. Novak was available at 9 with some bookies. If i had, I'd probably try to hedge at the semis and come out with a tidy profit. As it is i think I'll ride this one out and hope Rafa performs for me.

 

[Jono]

Just randomly, the other day I was reading about Michael Chang's 1989 French Open title win. What an amazing story. The greatest thing about it was his brilliant tactics in his semi final match vs. Ivan Lendl after he started to cramp. A guy who was usually a rock just fell to pieces and had no clue what to do with Chang's smart play - i.e. underarm serve and returning Lendl's serve from the T when Chang had match point.

YouTube - Michael Chang 1989 FRENCH OPEN service
YouTube - Chang run to the 1989 French Open title

Greatest 17 year old ever.

 

[grecian]

Just randomly, the other day I was reading about Michael Chang's 1989 French Open title win. What an amazing story. The greatest thing about it was his brilliant tactics in his semi final match vs. Ivan Lendl after he started to cramp. A guy who was usually a rock just fell to pieces and had no clue what to do with Chang's smart play - i.e. underarm serve and returning Lendl's serve from the T when Chang had match point.

YouTube - Michael Chang 1989 FRENCH OPEN service
YouTube - Chang run to the 1989 French Open title

Greatest 17 year old ever.

Well, I watched that and it was great drama, but there was talk of gamesmanship with the underarm stuff. No-one minded much though, coz it was Lendl.

Becker beats Chang for that title IMHO, Wimbledon '85, lots of long games and the amount of times he aced on break point and big points was just incredible. here, nerveless and great stamina after terrible weather in the first week (I know, who'd of thunk it, being in Britain 'n' all.

 

[PhoenixFire]

So gutted that Murray was out. Was tipping him for the Semis

Fair play to Verdasco though, outplayed Murray and he can't really have any complaints.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Credit to Murray for not having a whinge, but losing to a bloke you have a 5-0 career record against is disappointing, to put it politely.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Agree with the bit about him whinging. He was really good in the press conference, gave credit where credit was due. Hopefully this might see the end of him being a **** and more of an adult.

 

[Uppercut]

Credit to Murray for not having a whinge, but losing to a bloke you have a 5-0 career record against is disappointing, to put it politely.

He was outplayed though, Verdasco played a fantastic final set. He's not at the level of Federer and Nadal who know, if they play their best tennis, they'll win. Against guys like Verdasco, even if Murray plays as well as he can, some days Verdasco will play just as well. Verdasco made him look awfully weak at times, hitting the ball twice as hard (and frequently landing bombshell serves).

 

[Johnners]

I'm offering up a bet for Clapo

If Novak wins I'll avatar him for the whole NRL season, but if Roddick wins Clapo has to participate in the Cricket Web Virtual NRL.

But I want them both to win

 

[Dydl]

Nice way to win a doubles match, after losing a set 6-0. And considering how close they were to losing at one stage.

 

[inbox24]

Is it just me or have Rafael Nadal's biceps gone smaller? Either that or the optical illusion created by wearing shirts?

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Massive lift from Roddick here.

Come on Andy!

 

[vic_orthdox]

Gah, won't get to watch the end of this due to the News and bloody Today Tonight.